HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
33 
The island produces three kinds of grass:—Along the sea-shore there is a thick 
elastic turf, whose herbage is fine, and the blade, which grows to a sharp point, is 
sufficiently strong, when dried, to pierce woollen cloth. In the hottest parts of the 
island the pastures are composed of a kind of dog-grass, # that runs along the ground, 
and shoots forth small branches from its stems: though it is very tough, the cattle 
are fond of it in its verdant state. But the best grass grows in the more moist parts, 
and the windward situations of the island. It produces very large leaves, and is 
green and tender throughout the year. 
The other herbs and shrubs possessed by the Isle of France are as follow: 
A plant that yields a kind of pod, filled with a silky substance, of which, it is 
probable, some manufacturing use might be made. 
A species of asparagus, armed with thorns, which shoots up to the height of twelve 
feet, and attaches itself to trees, in the manner of a bramble ; but it does not appear 
that any attempts have been made to discover its qualities as a vegetable food. 
A kind of mallow, with a small leaf, which flourishes most in the court-yards of 
houses, and by the side of highways. 
A plant which bears a resemblance to the lily; is fond of marshy spots, and bears 
an odoriferous flower. 
On walls and by the side of roads a tufted plant is frequently seen, whose flower 
resembles that of the common red single stock. 
At the foot of the mountains near the town is found a vivacious sweet basil, 
whose odour is like that of the gillyflower. Its stem is ligneous, and an excellent 
vulnerary. 
The Racquette,f which makes a very formidable hedge, bears a yellow flower 
streaked with red; it is thick set with very sharp thorns, which cover its leaves and 
fruit. Of the latter, which is acid, no use is made. 
The Veloutier grows in the sand on the sea-shore; its branches are covered with 
a down resembling velvet, its leaves produce a shining hair, and it bears bunches 
of flowers. At a distance this shrub emits an agreeable smell, which is not percep¬ 
tible on a nearer approach to it. 
There is a kind of plant, half bramble and half shrub, which produces, in bristled, 
pods, a very smooth hard nut, of a grey pearl-colqur, and about the size of a mus¬ 
ket ball. Its kernel is very bitter, and the blacks employ it in venereal complaints. 
* Gramen caninum. f Cactus cocheriillifer, Linn. 
F 
